Effect of maternal diet and medium chain fatty acids supplementation for piglets on their digestive tract development, structure, and chyme acidity as well as performance and health status

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oils for sows during late pregnancy and lactation on offspring performance. In addition, the effect of caprylic acid (C8) or medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) in piglets’ feed on their gut development, performance, and health status was determined. The experiment was conducted on 24 sows allocated to two treatments: diet with rapeseed oil or with coconut oil. Newborn piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments: feed with no supplement or supplemented with 0.3% MCT or with 0.3% C8. The results showed that both oils had no effect on sow reproductive rates; however, fatty acid patterns of milk differed significantly and the number of lost piglets was lower in sow fed with coconut oil. Both caprylic and MCT oil significantly improved piglet performance and villus height. These additives did not change triacylglycerol content in blood, but C8 lowered total cholesterol and MCT increased IgG content. It can be concluded that coconut oil fed to pregnant and lactating sows can markedly reduce the mortality of piglets and that caprylic acid and medium-chain fatty acid oil can be a good supplement in weaned piglet feed

The effect of supplementing of sodium butyrate containing feed with glutamine and/or glucose on the structure of the piglet digestive tract and selected blood indices

The effect of supplementing the standard piglet diet containing sodium butyrate with glutamine and/or glucose on the structure of the piglet digestive tract and the small intestine epithelium, acidity and volatile fatty acid content of its digesta was investigated. The free amino acids level, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration in the blood were also analysed. The experiment was performed on 156 piglets (15 litters) allocated to 5 experimental groups, 3 litters in each. Group I (C, negative control) received a basal mixture with no supplement. Group II (SB, positive control) was fed the same basal diet containing additionally 3 g of sodium butyrate per kg. Group III and IV, besides sodium butyrate, received additionally 10 g of glutamine (GT) or glucose (GC), respectively. The last group V received all these supplements, i.e. SB+GT+GC (3, 10, 10 g per kg, respectively). At 60 days of age, the piglets (6 animals from each group) were slaughtered and their intestines were measured and weighed. The piglets in group SB+GT+GC receiving all the supplements grew slightly faster than the others, and at the end of the experiment the differences in body weight were significant. The total intestinal mass of the piglets fed with glucose or all the supplements was significantly higher than that of the piglets receiving glutamine but there was no significant difference in the total length of intestines. There was also no significant difference in acidity of chyme along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract. Digesta in the jejunum of both control groups (C, SB) contained significantly more SCFA than the remaining groups. In the caecum their content in the negative control and the group fed with all supplements was significantly higher when compared to the butyrate and glucose group. In the duodenum villus height was similar in all the groups but in the jejunum it was significantly higher in the group receiving all supplements than in other groups. Free amino acids level was lowest in the piglets receiving glucose but there was no difference between the remaining groups. The lowest level of IGF-1 was found in the same group and this difference was significant when compared with remaining groups, except C. It is concluded that glutamine and glucose, when given together with sodium butyrate, improve the structure of piglet jejunum epithelium and average body weight gains. A supplement of glucose significantly lowers free amino acid content and IGF-1 level in piglet blood

WPŁYW DODATKU KONCENTRATU BIAŁKOWO-KSANTOFILOWEGO (PX) Z LUCERNY DO MIESZANEK O ZMNIEJSZONYM POZIOMIE BIAŁKA OGÓLNEGO NA WYDALANIE AZOTU, EFEKTY PRODUKCYJNE I JAKOŚĆ MIĘSA TUCZNIKÓW

The infl uence of protein-xanthophyll (PX) concentrate of alfalfa supplement to crude protein-reduced diets was examined in relation to nitrogen excretion, performance parameters and pig meat quality. The investigations included 60 growers (PL x PLW) x Duroc crossbreeds assigned to 3 groups. The conclusion is that there is a large potential to decrease nitrogen emission to the environment by 10% lowering of dietary crude protein intake along with reduced animal growth rate and elevated mixture utilization. Inclusion of a protein-xanthophyll concentrate (PX) of alfalfa to the diet is likely to diminish disadvantageous productive parameters arising from limiting of total crude protein level in relation to the requirements of pigs feeding norms [1993]. At the same time, it improves feed nitrogen utilization and reduces noxious odour emissions from a piggery. The components of a protein-xanthophyll concentrate (PX) contribute to increased liver and kidney weight.Celem badań było określenie wpływu dodatku koncentratu białkowo-ksantofi lowego (PX) do mieszanek o zmniejszonym poziomie białka ogólnego na wzrost i wykorzystanie paszy, bilans azotu oraz cechy fi zyko-chemiczne mięsa wieprzowego. Badania dokonano na 60 warchlakach mieszańcach (pbz x wpb) x Duroc podzielonych na 3 grupy. W podsumowaniu należy podkreślić możliwość ograniczenia wydalania azotu do środowiska poprzez 10% ograniczenie poziomu białka w diecie tuczników przy jednoczesnym spadku tempa wzrostu zwierząt i zwiększonym zużyciu mieszanki. Dodatek koncentratu białkowo-ksantofi lowego (PX) z lucerny może zniwelować niekorzystne efekty produkcyjne związane z ograniczeniem poziomu białka surowego w stosunku do Norm Żywienia Świń [1993] przy jednoczesnej poprawie wykorzystania azotu paszy i zmniejszeniu nieprzyjemnych zapachów odorowych w chlewni. Zawarte w koncentracie białkowo-ksantofi lowym (PX) substancje przyczyniają się do zwiększenia masy wątroby i nerek

Feed alternative to soybean protein in pigs and poultry nutrition

The best protein feed in monogastric animals nutrition is soybean meal. On the world market, soy is mainly available in genetically modified (GM) form. Researchers and practitioners are increasingly interested in the sources of feed alternative for GM soybeans. Poland has a real chance of becoming independent of the import of GMO products used in animal nutrition. Our domestic protein sources include rapeseed and sunflower meal, legume seeds (peas, lupins), fish and insect meal, yeast and alfalfa concentrate. The cultivation of legumes, including non–GM soybeans, sweet lupins, peas and field beans with low anti–nutritional factors should be increased and popularized. Effective methods should be developed and implemented for the treatment of rapeseed and sunflower meals by fermentation. The aim of this paper was to present the aspects arising from replacing soybeans meal with native sources of protein feeds

Effect of Inulin Source and a Probiotic Supplement in Pig Diets on Carcass Traits, Meat Quality and Fatty Acid Composition in Finishing Pigs

In this experiment, we investigated the effect of the supplementation of probiotic bacteria in the diet with inulin or dried Jerusalem artichoke tubers on the performance, meat quality, and fatty acid composition in the meat and backfat of fatteners. One hundred and forty-four crossbred pigs (PIC × Penarlan P76) were divided into six groups and fattened from 30 to 114 kg. The meat proximate composition, pH, color, texture, shear force, water-holding capacity, sensory attributes, and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances were measured. Normal post-mortem meat glycolysis was demonstrated and no meat defects were present. The chemical constituents in muscle tissues were similar, except for intramuscular fat (IMF). The addition of the prebiotics resulted in a higher IMF level, whereas a significantly lower content was found after the probiotic supplementation. Meat from both prebiotic groups was lighter, less red, and more yellow and showed a higher hue angle. The addition of both prebiotics significantly improved the antioxidant status of meat (by approximately 16% and 18%) and the water-holding capacity (less free water and higher M/T ratios), but reduced shear force (by 17%, p ≤ 0.05) and hardness (by 39% and 35%, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). The addition of the prebiotics and probiotics had no effect on any of the evaluated sensory attributes

Influence of Phytase Supplementation at Increasing Doses from 0 to 1500 FTU/kg on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Bone Status in Grower–Finisher Pigs Fed Phosphorus-Deficient Diets

The objective of the current study is to assess the effects of the inclusion of 6-n phytase to a phosphorous-deficient diet on the growth performance (feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio), apparent digestibility of calcium and phosphorus, and bone characteristics of grower–finisher pigs. The experimental diets included a phosphorus-deficient diet containing 0 (negative control), 250, 500, 1000, or 1500 FTU/kg of 6-phytase, and a diet formulated to meet the phosphorus nutrient requirements of pigs (positive control). Pigs were fed the experimental diets from the time they were ~35 kg body weight until they reached slaughter weight of ~110 kg. Bone status of the metacarpal (ash, mineral content) and femur (mineralization, geometry, and mechanical strength) bones were assessed. There was no effect of dietary treatment on feed intake. Feed conversion ratio was improved following inclusion of phytase at a dose of 500 FTU/kg or higher. Phytase inclusion at a dose of 1000 FTU/kg increased the average daily weight gain of grower–finisher pigs. Phytase inclusion at a dose of 500 FTU/kg was sufficient to increase metacarpal phosphorus content. Femur mid-diaphysis ash percentage was significantly increased even after the inclusion of the lowest dose of phytase. Analysis of structural parameters of femur mechanical strength (Young’s modulus, yield stress, yield strain, ultimate stress, ultimate strain) showed that the inclusion of a phytase dose of 500 FTU/kg in growing/finishing diets was sufficient to significantly improve bone status of grower–finisher pigs at slaughter